Throat examination device

Abstract

An optical device is provided for examining the peritonsillar tissue and the area of the throat above the glottis without gagging an alert patient and without the need for the patient to be sedated or semi-comatose. The portion of the device which is inserted into the patient's mouth is cushioned to protect teeth and gums and is covered to provide sterility.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A device for use by a physician in examining the throat of a patient, and comprising: a source of light;   means for directing said light to particular areas of the throat for illumination thereof and having a light emitting end;   means for directing an image of said particular areas of the throat to a viewing lens, said image direction means having an image receiving end; and   means for housing said lens, said light directing means, and said image directing means and being configured so that, in use, a portion of said housing is positionable within an alert patient's mouth without causing gagging of the patient, said physician observing said particular areas through said viewing lens which is positioned outside of said mouth and via said image directing means extending into said mouth, said housing portion positioning said light emitting end and said image receiving end above the tongue and adjacent the palate of said patient.   
     
     
       2. A device as in claim 1, and further comprising: said housing means being generally goosenecked in configuration in order to effect said positioning.   
     
     
       3. A device as in claim 1, wherein: said image directing means and said light directing means comprise respective fiber optic bundles or mirror devices.   
     
     
       4. A device as in claim 1, wherein said light source is located in an outer end of said housing, said housing outer end being positioned outside the patient's mouth during use, and further comprising: handle means for manipulating and supporting said device, said handle means being removably attachable to said outer end such that said handle will not interfere with extension of the tongue from the patient's mouth during said examination.   
     
     
       5. A device as in claim 4, said handle comprising: a switch for controlling energization of said light source.   
     
     
       6. A device as in claim 5, said handle further comprising: at least one battery for energizing said light source according to said controlling switch.   
     
     
       7. A device as in claim 1, and further comprising: means for preventing injury to the teeth and tissue of the mouth as by engagement with said housing during use.   
     
     
       8. A device as in claim 7, said injury preventing means comprising: a palate portion of said housing, said palate engaging portion having cushioning attached thereto.   
     
     
       9. A device as in claim 1, and further comprising: hygiene means for preventing contamination of said device for subsequent examinations.   
     
     
       10. A device as in claim 9, wherein said hygiene means comprises: a sleeve covering said housing portion which is positionable within the mouth, at least a first portion of said sleeve being transparent and corresponding to said image receiving end, and at least a second portion of said sleeve being at least translucent and corresponding to said light emitting end, such that said image and light are communicated through said sleeve to facilitate said examination while preventing said contamination.   
     
     
       11. A device as in claim 10, said hygiene means further comprising: a nested plurality of said sleeves being provided such that an outer sleeve is disposable to uncover a sterile next sleeve for use with another patient.   
     
     
       12. A device as in claim 10, said hygiene means further comprising: said sleeve being resterilizable and removably attachable to said housing in order to effect sterilization of said sleeve.   
     
     
       13. A device as in claim 9, wherein said hygiene means comprises: plural, nested tubular sleeves substantially covering said housing portion which is positionable within the mouth of said patient, said sleeves extending from said housing portion past said light emitting and image receiving ends sufficiently to avoid contact of said housing by saliva of said patient, each of said sleeves overlapping a next inner sleeve and preventing contamination of an outer surface thereof.